Ammunition carrier system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a user mountable ammunition carrier system for conveniently storing and carrying hunting and shooting accessories by a hunter while navigating dense brush and foliage. The ammunition carrier system includes a body member having a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of container tubes. The elastomeric body member is also adapted to directly receive and frictionally retain a plurality of rifle cartridges in the openings. The ammunition carrier system is provided with a length adjustable lanyard secured to an elastomer carrier that supports a number of separate transparent storage tubes that plug-mount to the carrier. The carrier is also adapted to be attached to the belt of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to carrier systems, and in particular,to a user mounted or user mountable carrier system for convenientlystoring ammunition, shells, powder, primers, projectiles, ear plugs, andvarious other shooting and hunting accessories.

2. Description of Related Art

A problem encountered by hunters, shooters and other individuals whodesire to carry ammunition and accessories is that of convenientlycarrying the items. For example, a hunter or shooter may want to carrypowder, projectiles, primers, wadding, cartridges, bullets, earplugs,and a variety of other hunting and shooting accessories. The problem isespecially troublesome to those who desire to be mobile while huntingand shooting, such as when walking and hiking through brush and densefoliage. Large ammunition boxes can be carried, but the economic risksof losing significant amounts of hunting and shooting equipment can begreat with accidental spillage. A more portable carrier assembly istherefore desired.

For most circumstances, only a relatively few items need to be carried.Although a variety of hinge covered, multi-compartmented, molded plasticcontainers can be used, the compartments frequently do not accommodatelong and/or bulky accessories, such as rifle cartridges, powder chargesand projectiles. Roll-up fabric containers and commercially availablethreaded, stackable, tubular storage containers also experience the sameproblem. The foregoing containers also typically require the hunter orshooter to separately carry the container in an available pocket,backpack or vest.

A variety of user supported, lanyard and clip mounted assemblies havebeen developed specifically for hunters. These assemblies typicallyinclude various arrangements of ammunition, hunting accessories, andshooting supplies. The lanyards are typically worn around the neck.Otherwise, available retainer clips and spring-biased tethers cansupport the accessories to other items of clothing. Each accessory isthereby made available with relatively little encumbrance to the hunteror shooter.

The foregoing assemblies, however, are neither designed nor adapted tocontain cartridges, powder charges, primers, projectiles, huntingaccessories, and shooting accessory items. Some relatively small,hinged, covered plastic containers that provide a number of coveredcompartments that are covered by a common hinged lid are available andmay also be mounted to a lanyard. The single hinged lid that covers thestorage compartments, however, is susceptible to accidental release andconsequently increases the risk of spilling the costly shootingaccessories and other contents.

It can be seen that there is a need for user mounted portable carriersystem for conveniently storing hunting and shooting accessories orother small items that is light weight and easily carried along by ashooter or hunter while maneuvering through brush and dense foliage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and toovercome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, the present invention disclosesa user mounted portable container system for conveniently storinghunting and shooting accessories or other small items that is lightweight and easily carried along by a shooter or hunter while navigatingthrough dense brush and foliage.

The present invention solves the above-described problems by providingan ammunition carrier system. The ammunition carrier system of thepresent invention provides an inexpensive portable storage system forammunition and shooting accessories that are desirable to a hunter whilehunting. The container system is also useful for innumerable other useswhere a portable, hands-free carrier system is desirable.

The carrier system may additionally be provided with a length adjustablelanyard or tether, among a variety of retainers, which may be secured toan elastomer carrier that supports a number of separate transparentstorage tubes or containers that plug-mount to the carrier. The tubesmay contain miscellaneous items and/or hunting and shooting accessories.Openings may be formed in the carrier system designed and configured tosupport and carry primers, projectiles, cartridges and powder chargesand container tubes containing various shooting accessories.

A system in accordance with the principles of the present inventionincludes an ammunition carrier system including a plurality of containertubes. Each container tube has an open end and a closed end. The carriersystem also includes a body member having a plurality of first openingsand a ridge member disposed along a portion of the body member. Theridge member is provided with plurality of second openings. The firstopenings are adapted to receive and frictionally retain the containertubes therein. Each container tube encloses a storage space and aportion of each container tube extends a distance from the body memberwhen secured thereto. The storage space being accessible when thecontainer tube is unsecured from the body member.

Other embodiments of a system in accordance with the principles of theinvention may include alternative or optional additional aspects. Onesuch aspect of the present invention is that the container tubes areremovably securable to the body member via a frictional attachmentbetween exterior surfaces of the tubes and interior surfaces of thefirst openings.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openings arearranged perpendicular to the second openings.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openings havea first diameter, the second openings have a second diameter, and thefirst diameter is different from the second diameter.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ridge member extendssubstantially along a length of the body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the second openings areadapted to receive and frictionally retain a shooting accessory therein.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a lanyard for securingthe ammunition carrier system to a user, and the lanyard beingconnectable to an attachment opening disposed in the ridge member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the body member and theridge member are molded from a flexible elastomeric material, andwherein the first and second openings are expandable to receive andfrictionally retain therein accessories, wherein when the accessoriesare removed from the first and second openings, the first and secondopenings return to a pre-expansion dimension.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the container tubesprovide watertight storage of accessories stored therein.

Another system in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention includes an ammunition carrier system including a first bodymember having a plurality of first openings along a first body memberside thereof. The carrier system also includes a second body memberhaving a plurality of second openings along a second body member sidethereof. The carrier system also includes an attachment member flexiblyattaching the first body member to the second body member at a firstlocation. The carrier system also includes means for connecting thefirst body member to the second body member at a second location.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openingsextend into the first body member a small portion of a width of thefirst body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the second openingsextend into the second body member a small portion of a width of thesecond body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openingsextend entirely through a width of the first body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the second openingsextend entirely through a width of the second body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem further includes a plurality of third openings along a first bodymember opposing side. The third openings extend into the first bodymember a small portion of a width of the first body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem further includes a plurality of fourth openings along a secondbody member opposing side. The fourth openings extend into the secondbody member a small portion of a width of the second body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and the first,second, third and fourth openings are adapted to receive andfrictionally retain a shooting accessory therein.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and the first,second, third and fourth openings are expandable to receive andfrictionally retain accessories therein and when the accessories areremoved from the first, second, third and fourth openings, the first,second, third and fourth openings return to a pre-expansion dimension.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem is attachable to a belt of a user by placing the first bodymember on one side of the belt and the second body member on anotherside of the belt, and wherein the attachment band and the connectionmeans secure the ammunition carrier system to the belt.

Another system in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention includes an ammunition carrier system including a body memberhaving a plurality of first openings along a body member side thereof.The ammunition carrier system also includes means for connecting thebody member to a belt of a user. The ammunition carrier system alsoincludes an attachment member flexibly attaching the body member to theconnection means.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openingsextend entirely through a width of the body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the first openingsextend into the body member a small portion of a width of the bodymember.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem also includes a plurality of second openings along a body memberopposing side. The second openings extend into the body member a smallportion of a width of the body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and the firstopenings are expandable to receive and frictionally retain accessoriestherein and when the accessories are removed from the first openings,the first openings return to a pre-expansion dimension.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the ammunition carriersystem is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and the first andsecond openings are expandable to receive and frictionally retainaccessories therein and when the accessories are removed from the firstand second openings, the first and second openings return to apre-expansion dimension.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the connection meanscomprises a flexible loop member adapted to receive a belt in a loopopening therethrough.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the attachment member isattached along a substantial length of the body member.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the attachment member isattached along a substantial length of the body member and the loopmember.

The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention,among others, are obtained in a presently preferred construction thatprovides an elastomer ammunition carrier system.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtainedby its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form afurther part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in whichthere are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus inaccordance with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an ammunition carrier systemhaving a lanyard attached thereto according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a disassembled view of an ammunition carrier systemhaving a container tube removed from the tube receiving orifice andcontents of the container tube removed therefrom according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an open view of a folding body member of anammunition carrier system having several rifle cartridges disposedtherein according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a folded view of the folding body member withcartridge receiving openings exposed with all the rifle cartridgesremoved therefrom according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the folding body member of the ammunitioncarrier system folded over and mounted on a belt according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an ammunition carrier systemhaving an extending appendage forming a belt loop a distance away fromthe body member in another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of the ammunition carrier system having anextending appendage forming a belt loop disposed on a belt in anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized as structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a user mounted or user mountableammunition carrier system for conveniently carrying cartridges,projectiles, primers, powder charges, wadding, and other hunting andshooting accessories. The ammunition carrier system of the presentinvention provides an inexpensive portable carrier system for smallitems that are desirable to a hunter while hunting. The container systemis also applicable to innumerable other uses where a portable,hands-free carrier system is desirable.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ammunition carrier system 100 havinga lanyard attached thereto according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 1, the ammunition carrier system 100 is shownincluding a body member 110. The body member 110 is provided with aplurality of tube receiving openings 115 along a portion thereof and aridge member 130 provided with a plurality of primer receiving openings140. The ridge member 130 is provided with a central attachment opening.Each of the primer receiving openings 140 is shown having a primer 175disposed therein. Each of the tube receiving openings is shown having acontainer tube 120 disposed therein. The container tubes have a bottom125 forming an enclosed space within the container tubes 120 where apowder charge 170 and a composite projectile member and wadding 173 areretained in a watertight enclosure. The container tubes 120 also have anopen end (not shown) disposed inside the tube receiving openings 115.

The central attachment opening 150 of the ridge member 130 is shownhaving a clip 191 connected through the hole 150. The clip 191 isconnected to a swivel 197 through ring 193. The swivel 197 is connectedto a lanyard 195. The lanyard 195 is adjustable in length through cinchbead 190. The lanyard 195 is shown rolled into a bundle 198 and bandedwith a band 199 in the FIG. 1, however in use, the lanyard 195 may beworn around the neck of a hunter or shooter or tied to the wrist or someother part of the hunter's body or clothing to secure and mount theammunition carrier system 100 thereto.

The body member 110 is molded from a resilient, flexible elastomericmaterial, such as natural rubber, latex rubber or silicone rubber. Suchmaterials are durable and readily accept a variety of pigments,camouflage, and other surface ornamentation to accentuate consumerappeal. These materials accommodate the normally intended outdoorenvironment and also allow the tube receiving openings 115 and primerreceiving openings 140 to stretch and compress over the tubes 120 andprimers 175 during mounting into the body member 110 and ridge member130 forming a frictional engagement therewith, respectively. The size ofthe body member 110 and container tubes 120 can be varied as desired.

The container tubes 120 are transparent cylindrical tubes that are openat one end and sealed closed at the other end. The tubes 120 areconfigured to be frictionally retained in the openings 115 formed in thebody member 110. The tubes 120 are designed and configured to besecurely and frictionally engaged to the body member 110 either throughexterior engagement. In FIG. 1, the tubes 120 are shown engaged viaexterior engagement to the body member 110 via frictional engagementbetween the exterior surface of the tubes 120 and the interior surfaceof the tube receiving openings 115. The container tubes 120 may be of avariety of different sizes and shapes provided that the tubes can beinserted and frictionally secured to the body member 110.

The container tubes 120 may be used to store and contain powder charges,wadding, projectiles, complete rifle cartridges, ear plugs, and variousother paraphernalia used by hunters and shooters. The container tubes120 may be formed of plastic, glass or other watertight transparentmaterials. Because the container tubes 120 are formed of a transparentmaterial, the contents are readily visible to the user and are easilyaccessible upon withdrawing the container tubes 120 from the tubereceiving openings 115. The diameter and depth of the tube receivingopenings 115 are sized to assure that the container tubes 120 are heldfast under normal conditions. Because the body member 110 is molded froma flexible elastomeric material, a frictional fit is obtained to eachcontainer tube 120.

FIG. 2 is a disassembled view of an ammunition carrier system 200 havinga container tube 220 removed from the tube receiving orifice 215 andcontents of the container tube 220 removed therefrom according to anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the body member 210 isprovided with a plurality of tube receiving openings 215 and the ridgemember 230 is provided with a central attachment opening 250 and aplurality of primer receiving openings 240. The container tube 220 isprovided with an open end 223 for receiving shooting accessories and aclosed end 225. Some exemplary shooting accessories have been removedfrom a container tube 220 and are also shown in the FIG. 2. Primerreceiving opening 240 is adapted to receive primer 275 frictionallytherein. The container tube 220 is adapted to receive powder charge 270and a combination projectile and wadding arrangement 273 therein. Theshooting accessories are shown for example purposes and the invention isnot limited to storing only those exemplary shooting accessoriesdisclosed. The container tube 220 being formed of a transparent materialallows the contents stored in the container tube 220 to be readilyviewable by the hunter or shooter without removing the container tube220 from the body member 210.

FIG. 3 is an open view of a foldable combination body member of anammunition carrier system 300 having several pre-assembled riflecartridges 399 disposed therein according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 3, the ammunition carrier system 300 isprovided with a first body member 310 and a second body member 320. Thefirst and second body members 310, 320 are flexibly connected togetherwith attachment band 366. The flexible attachment band 366 extends alonga substantial length of the first and second body members 310, 320. Theflexible attachment band 366 permits the first and second body members310, 320 to be folded over against each other and connected together forattachment around a belt of a hunter or shooter for hands free carryingof the ammunition carrier system (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The first andsecond body members 310, 320 are also connectable to each other via aconnection means including a male plug 323 which is received into afemale orifice 313 when the first and second body members 310, 320 arefolded against each other. The male plug 323 and female orifice 313 maybe formed integral with the first and second body members 310, 320during a molding process. Although the male plug 323 and female orifice313 connection is shown, numerous other connection means are envisionedsuch as snaps, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, cord ties and variousother connection means. The first and second body members 310 and 320are provided with a plurality of openings 315 along opposing endsthereof. The openings 315 may extend into the first and second bodymembers 310, 320 a small portion of the width of the first and secondbody members 310, 320 or may extend through the entire width of thefirst and second body members 310, 320. The openings 315 are adapted toreceive and frictionally retain rifle cartridges 399 therein. Theopenings 315 may also be adapted to receive and frictionally retainindividual shooting accessories or container tubes.

The first and second body members 310, 320 may be molded from aresilient, flexible elastomeric material, such as natural rubber, latexrubber or silicone rubber. Such materials are durable and readily accepta variety of pigments, camouflage, and other surface ornamentation toaccentuate consumer appeal. These materials accommodate the normallyintended outdoor environment and also allow the tube receiving openings.The ammunition carrier system 300 disclosed in FIG. 3 provides a hunteror shooter with the capability of carrying a plurality of pre-assembledrifle cartridges 399 or shooting accessories.

FIG. 4 is a folded view of the foldable combination body member of anammunition carrier system 400 with cartridge receiving openings exposedwith all the rifle cartridges removed therefrom according to anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the ammunition carriersystem 400 is shown in a folded configuration such that the first bodymember 410 and the second body member 420 are flexibly connectedtogether by attachment band 466. In FIG. 4, the flexible attachment band466 in combination with connection means (not shown) retain the firstand second body members 410, 420 folded over against each other andconnected together for attachment around a belt of a hunter or shooterfor hands free carrying of the ammunition carrier system (see FIG. 5).The first and second body members 410 and 420 are provided with aplurality of openings 415 along opposing ends thereof. The openings 415may extend into the first and second body members 410, 420 a smallportion of the width of the first and second body members 410, 420 ormay extend through the entire width of the first and second body members410, 420. The openings 415 are adapted to receive and frictionallyretain rifle cartridges, individual shooting accessories, and/orcontainer tubes.

FIG. 5 is a view of the folding body member of the ammunition carriersystem 500 folded over and mounted on a belt 588 according to anembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the ammunition carriersystem 500 is shown in a folded configuration and attached to a belt 588such that the first body member 510 and the second body member 520 areflexibly connected together. The flexible attachment band 566 incombination with connection means (not shown) retain the first andsecond body members 510, 520 folded over and connected together forattachment around the belt 588 of a hunter or shooter for hands freecarrying of the ammunition carrier system. The flexible attachment band566 extends along a substantial length of both the first and second bodymembers. The first and second body members 510 and 520 are provided witha plurality of openings 515 along opposing ends thereof. The openings515 may extend into the first and second body members 510, 520 a smallportion of the width of the first and second body members 510, 520 ormay extend through the entire width of the first and second body members510, 520. The opening 515 is shown receiving and frictionally retaininga rifle cartridge 599 therein. The openings may be larger on one side ofthe first and second body members than the other or the first and secondbody members may have different sized openings depending upon the hunteror shooters needs.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ammunition carrier system having anextending appendage forming a belt loop a distance away from the bodymember in another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, theammunition carrier system 600 is shown provided with an extendingappendage which may be a flexible attachment band 666 for flexiblyconnecting the body member 610 and the loop member 633. In FIG. 6, theflexible attachment band 666 retains and connects the body member 610through loop opening 635 to a belt of a hunter or shooter for hands freecarrying of the ammunition carrier system (see FIG. 7). The body member610 is provided with a plurality of openings 615. The openings 615 maybe along one end or along opposing ends of the body member 610. Theopenings 615 may extend into the body member 610 a small portion of thewidth of the body member 610 or may extend through the entire width ofthe body member 610. The openings 615 are adapted to receive andfrictionally retain rifle cartridges 699, individual shootingaccessories, and/or container tubes.

FIG. 7 is a view of the ammunition carrier system having an extendingappendage forming a loop member disposed on a belt in another embodimentof the present invention. In FIG. 7, the ammunition carrier system 700is shown attached to a belt 788 such that the body member 710 hangsbelow the belt 788 from the flexible attachment band 766. The flexibleattachment band 766 in combination with loop member 733 retains the bodymember 710 and connected for attachment to the belt 788 of a hunter orshooter for hands free carrying of the ammunition carrier system. Thebody member 710 is provided with a plurality of openings 715 along oneend or opposing ends thereof. The openings 715 may extend into the bodymember 710 a small portion of the width of the body member 710 or mayextend through the entire width of the body member 710. The openings 715are shown receiving and frictionally retaining rifle cartridges 799therein.

The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention,among others, are obtained in a presently preferred construction thatprovides an elastomer ammunition carrier system provided with at leastone body member having a plurality of openings to receive andfrictionally retain open-ended storage container tubes, rifle cartridgesand various other shooting accessories.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather bythe claims appended hereto.

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 10. An carriersystem comprising: a first body member having a plurality of firstopenings along a first body member side thereof; a second body memberhaving a plurality of second openings along a second body member sidethereof; an attachment member flexibly attaching the first body memberto the second body member at a first location; and means for connectingthe first body member to the second body member at a second location.11. The carrier system of claim 10, wherein the first openings extendinto the first body member a portion of a width of the first bodymember.
 12. The carrier system of claim 10, wherein the second openingsextend into the second body member a portion of a width of the secondbody member.
 13. The carrier system of claim 10, wherein the firstopenings extend entirely through a width of the first body member. 14.The carrier system of claim 10, wherein the second openings extendentirely through a width of the second body member.
 15. The carriersystem of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of third openingsalong a first body member opposing side, the third openings extend intothe first body member a portion of a width of the first body member. 16.The carrier system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of fourthopenings along a second body member opposing side, the fourth openingsextend into the second body member a portion of a width of the secondbody member.
 17. The carrier system of claim 16, wherein the carriersystem is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and the first,second, third and fourth openings are adapted to receive andfrictionally retain an accessory therein.
 18. The carrier system ofclaim 16, wherein the carrier system is molded from a flexibleelastomeric material, and the first, second, third and fourth openingsare expandable to receive and frictionally retain accessories thereinand when the accessories are removed from the first, second, third andfourth openings, the first, second, third and fourth openings return toa pre-expansion dimension.
 19. The carrier system of claim 10, whereinthe carrier system is attachable to a belt of a user by placing thefirst body member on one side of the belt and the second body member onanother side of the belt, and wherein the attachment band and theconnection means secure the carrier system to the belt.
 20. An carriersystem comprising: a body member having a plurality of first openingsalong a body member side thereof; means for connecting the body memberto a belt of a user; and an attachment member flexibly attaching thebody member to the connection means.
 21. The carrier system of claim 20,wherein the first openings extend entirely through a width of the bodymember.
 22. The carrier system of claim 20, wherein the first openingsextend into the body member a small portion of a width of the bodymember.
 23. The carrier system of claim 20, further comprising aplurality of second openings along a body member opposing side, thesecond openings extend into the body member a small portion of a widthof the body member.
 24. The carrier system of claim 20, wherein thecarrier system is molded from a flexible elastomeric material, and thefirst openings are expandable to receive and frictionally retainaccessories therein and when the accessories are removed from the firstopenings, the first openings return to a pre-expansion dimension. 25.The carrier system of claim 23, wherein the carrier system is moldedfrom a flexible elastomeric material, and the first and second openingsare expandable to receive and frictionally retain accessories thereinand when the accessories are removed from the first and second openings,the first and second openings return to a pre-expansion dimension. 26.The carrier system of claim 20, wherein the connection means comprises aflexible loop member adapted to receive a belt in a loop openingtherethrough.
 27. The carrier system of claim 26, wherein the attachmentmember is attached along a substantial length of the body member and theloop member.
 28. The carrier system of claim 20, wherein the attachmentmember is attached along a substantial length of the body member.